Degree Dividend
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Union Commonwealth University vs Alice Lloyd College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Barbourville KY · vs · Private nonprofit, Pippa Passes KY

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Union Commonwealth University comes closer — median earnings $42,002 against a $85,244 total, vs $40,573 at Alice Lloyd College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUnion Commonwealth UniversityAlice Lloyd College
Net price / yr$21,311$18,600
Total net cost$85,244$74,400
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,002$40,573
Median debt$24,250$19,599
Payback——
20-year net return-$212,404-$230,140

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Union Commonwealth University or Alice Lloyd College?

Alice Lloyd College, at $18,600 a year after aid versus $21,311 — a gap of $2,711 a year, or $10,844 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Union Commonwealth University or Alice Lloyd College graduates earn more?

Union Commonwealth University graduates report a median $42,002 ten years after entry, $1,429 more than the $40,573 at Alice Lloyd College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Union Commonwealth University or Alice Lloyd College?

Alice Lloyd College: its completers carry a median $19,599 in federal loans versus $24,250 at Union Commonwealth University, a difference of $4,651. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

39% of students finish at Alice Lloyd College, against 32% at Union Commonwealth University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Union Commonwealth University vs Alice Lloyd College: frequently asked questions

Is Union Commonwealth University or Alice Lloyd College a better value?
Union Commonwealth University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Union Commonwealth University or Alice Lloyd College?
Alice Lloyd College: $18,600/yr net price after aid versus $21,311/yr at Union Commonwealth University — a difference of $2,711 a year, or about $10,844 over four years.
Do Union Commonwealth University or Alice Lloyd College graduates earn more?
Union Commonwealth University graduates earn a median $42,002 ten years after entry, versus $40,573 at Alice Lloyd College — a $1,429 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.